Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that looks at the best players you should be adding to your rosters. We’ll look at the players that are likely to be available in most leagues, as well as some deep league waiver wire options. We’ll also look at the most-added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites and tell you which players to add and which to leave on the wire.
Top Priority Players to Add
Ty France (SD) – 1B (Yahoo – 16%)
I mentioned France two days ago, but he deserves another shoutout for all the raking he has done lately. At first, I thought this might be just another hot-hitting platoon bat, but that’s not the case; the 32-year-old has near-even career splits: 114 wRC+ vs. LHP and a 112 wRC+ vs. RHP. Thus far this season, France has hit .282 with 15 home runs and totaled a 142 wRC+ while emerging as the cleanup hitter for a Padres team that has struggled to score. And his 122 Process (123 Power) suggests that this isn’t a mirage. His only, albeit minor, blemish is that he doesn’t walk much. Oh well, you can’t have everything.
A.J. Ewing (NYM) – 2B, OF (Yahoo – 32%)
Ewing’s roster rate remains a little too low considering the dearth of options at second base. The 21-year-old rookie has slashed an impressive .276/.348/.430 across 249 PAs. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a better spot to see good pitches to hit than hitting leadoff in front of Soto. Ewing can fly, and it’s encouraging to see him steal a bag in two of his last five games. He has also demonstrated respectable power (112 via PLV). Whiffs are the only concern; his 26.8% K rate is a little higher than you’d like. Still, his minor league track record, including 70 SBs last year, and solid work as a rookie this season, which has yielded a 110 Process grade, are too good to pass up.
Andrew Vaughn (MIL) – 1B (Yahoo – 23%)
I mentioned Vaughn in Tuesday’s column as a speculative add, and, you know what, I’m giving him the spotlight two days later. Sal Frelick’s injury has given Vaughn an opportunity for increased reps; he has started four consecutive games, including two against right-handers: Christian Scott yesterday and Freddy Peralta Monday. History dictates that he hasn’t moved the needle against right-handers with a career 95 wRC+. However, I’m enamored by what he did in the second half last year with the Brewers (.868 OPS), and I’m buying the narrative that they saw something worthwhile in the former first-rounder. He doesn’t have huge over-the-fence upside (91 HR Power via PLV), but those in points leagues should be intrigued by his 11.5% K rate. And his 122 Process is pretty darn good. Those who recently lost Kurtz in category leagues and missed on France should look Vaughn’s way for a potential short-term boost in average (he’s hitting .311 in 185 PAs this season) and RBI, starting this weekend with the Rockies in Milwaukee.
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
Brady Singer pitched well yesterday, holding the Mariners to three earned runs on six hits and a walk, while earning his fifth win. He’s been decent for the past month or so, save a blowup against the Pirates. Still, you know he’s a streamer at best, and his next start is against the Guardians at home; with J-Ram back, I can’t say I’d be excited for that.
Bailey Ober faced the Guardians last night and needed 89 pitches to get 12 outs while allowing four earned runs. And his fastball averaged just under 87 mph. Yeah, that’s not gonna cut it.
Jacob Wilson has peppered the box score with three home runs during his current 10-game hitting streak. Kurtz’s stint on the IL has made him the A’s leadoff hitter, and he has done his best Arraez impersonation, hitting .291 with an 11% K rate. I wish Wilson excited me, but his subpar swing decisions (80 DV) are a dealbreaker. I see him as a hot-hitting Nico Hoerner with next-to-no stolen base upside. And, yes, I’m aware he stole a base last night, but that’s not part of his game. I’m fine letting others chase this BABIP wizardry.
Hao-Yu Lee and Spencer Torkelson tagged Colin Rea for longballs during last night’s 5-1 Tigers win over the Cubs. The 36-year-old righty should serve again as a run-of-the-mill streamer next week in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
Peter Lambert’s three strikeouts against the Marlins last night might’ve been a touch disappointing, but he posted his third consecutive QS and will carry a 3.03 ERA and 1.12 WHIP into his next start in a smash spot against an Angels lineup that strikes out in bunches. He’s 60th on the List.
Jake Bennett didn’t post a pretty line against the Orioles in the first half of yesterday’s doubleheader at Fenway Park, but he came away with his sixth win anyway. The 25-year-old rookie southpaw hasn’t piled up strikeouts, but remains a must-roster player with a dazzling 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. He’ll next pitch in Sacramento next week; that’s not ideal, but the A’s have struggled a bit without Kurtz. He’s 43rd on The List.
Logan Henderson struck out a season-high nine batters in yesterday’s 4-3 win over the Mets. His pitch quality metrics (5.22 PLV / 2.29 PLA) indicate his potential as a future ace. His next outing should come at San Francisco. He’s 33rd on The List.
Cade Cavalli’s rollercoaster season continued with a six-inning shutout at Coors Field, and he has a rock-solid 19.2% K-BB. He’s 55th on The List and is scheduled to face the Jays in Washington next week.
Landen Roupp lost a shutout in the seventh inning of yesterday’s game at Kauffman Stadium. He’ll carry a 14.1% K-BB into his next start, a home tilt against the Brewers.
Streaming Pitchers
Be sure to check Nick’s daily SP streamers article.
Today:
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) – SP (Yahoo – 16%) at STL
Firstly, I’d be willing to give Ian Seymour (38%) another spin if he’s available. If not, we’re basically left with Pfaadt. Am I excited about Pfaadt? No, of course not. But there are only five games on the docket, and the options are grim. I’ll have to pass on Canning in Atlanta and Dobnak in Detroit.
Tomorrow:
Dustin May (STL) – SP (Yahoo – 24%) vs CIN
May has struggled since the CGSHO against the Padres on June 15th. Still, I’m at least slightly encouraged by his latest start against the D’Backs, since he tossed 98 pitches, the most since that gem against the Padres. Facing the Reds at home seems like a decent recipe for a bounce-back.
Deep League Players to Watch
Griffin Conine (MIA) – OF (Yahoo – 2%)
Jeff’s 29-year-old son, Griffin, has played well in a rotational role for the Marlins, slashing .277/.358/.553 with a 147 wRC+ over 106 PAs. He typically sits against left-handers, but should get the green light this weekend against the Padres and their rotation of righties. Conine’s 129 Process is pretty hot, too.
Vaughn Grissom (LAA) – 1B, 2B, 3B (Yahoo – 1%)
Grissom, who, you might recall, was part of the deal that sent Sale to Atlanta in the winter of 2023, has emerged as an everyday player for the Angels, hitting .256 with five home runs and a 99 wRC+ across 230 PAs. He doesn’t have the most exciting profile, but his 13.9% K rate could make him a suitable stopgap in points leagues.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (BAL) – 1B, 3B (Yahoo – 1%)
Well, here’s a name we haven’t seen in a while. The former Red has gone yard in two straight games and could have an opening at DH or 3B, thanks to injuries to Samuel Basallo and Blaze Walker. He doesn’t have a good eye at the dish, but we know he has big power.
